Controlled explosions carried out on chemicals at Yorkshire schools

Grace Newton

Over 40 schools in North and West Yorkshire have been visited by army bomb disposal experts after it was discovered they were storing a potentially hazardous chemical on their premises.

Controlled explosions had to be carried out at the schools - among them some of the region's top independents - and at the University of Hull's science labs after it was realised that many had stocks of dangerous 2.4 dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH).

The government's science advisory service advised educational establishments to check whether they had historic supplies of the chemical last autumn, and the last of the explosions took place in December. Some schools faced criticism after they failed to warn nearby residents that army teams would be attending the site.

The chemical can be used safely if stored correctly, but presents a burns hazard if left to dry out. It features on the A Level chemistry syllabus.